Water Levels Falling In Daytona's Wells

April 5, 1985|By Mike McKee of The Sentinel Staff

DAYTONA BEACH — Extended dry weather has caused water levels in Daytona Beach city wells to drop by more than two feet to 40 feet below ground. A drop to 50 feet, the depth of pumps, will cause the city to get worried, said water supervisor Earl Gowen.

Daytona Beach, experiencing peak beachfront crowds because of spring break, is pumping about 14 1/2 million gallons of water daily, Gowen said. The normal pumping load per day is 12 1/2 million gallons.

The city has 21 wells but normally operates only 12 to 15 of them at one time, Gowen said.

Concerned by the continuing dry spell, the city has taken out newspaper advertising to remind residents that Daytona Beach has a ban against lawn sprinkling from noon until 6 p.m. daily, he said.

That ordinance, which applies to city water and private wells, was adopted during the drought of 1981 and has been kept active, though rarely enforced. Violators can be fined $500, jailed for 60 days or both.

During drought on the county's east coast, cities monitor their water for saltwater contamination. In Daytona Beach, salt levels this week measure at about 30 to 40 parts of salt per million parts of water. In neighboring Holly Hill, the level was 140 to 180 parts per million. Water falls below state standards at 250 parts per million.

In Holly Hill, where salt often far exceeded state standards in 1981, 140 to 180 parts per million is something to brag about. Utilities Director Paul Schulz said things are expected to get even better when seven wells west of the city come on line in six to eight months. Holly Hill already has eight wells.

Schulz said salt levels in city wells have dropped in recent months despite the dry weather. Water levels have stayed fairly constant, possibly because Holly Hill, entirely on the mainland, has no beach crowds draining the city's water supply, he said.